No longer only a top program on the west coast, UCSB has emerged as one of the premier college soccer programs in the nation. Located in sunny Santa Barbara, California, UCSB exists as an ideal location for both academic and athletic interests. In just over 15 years, the UCSB men’s soccer program has won 8 Big West Championships, 8 top-25 NSCAA final rankings, 11 NCAA tournament appearances, 2004 NCAA National Finalists, and the 2006 NCAA National Champions.

The recent success of the UCSB men’s soccer team can be attributed largely to the coaching of head coach Tim Vom Steeg. After coaching at Santa Barbara City College, where he acquired a record of121-18-4, Vom Steeg became UCSB's Head Coach in 1999. In just 15 seasons at the helm of UCSB soccer, head coach, Vom Steeg has compiled 4 Big West Coach of the year honors (2004, 2005, 2010, and 2013) and two NSCAA National Coach of the Year honors (2004 and 2006). In addition to these honors, he has compiled 8 Big West Championships, 11 NCAA tournament appearances, an NCAA National Finalist, and the 2006 NCAA National Championship in his time at UCSB. In culmination with Coach Vom Steeg’s esteemed assistant coaches, the UCSB men’s soccer team looks poised for long-term future success.

Coaching Highlights:

8 Big West Conference Titles (2001, 02, 04, 06, 07, 09, 10, 13, 14)

11 NCAA Tournament Appearance (2002-11, 13, 14)

4 Big West Coach of the Year honors (2004, 2005, 2010, & 2014)

NSCAA National Coach of the Year (2004 and 2006)

UCSB Coaching Staff

Under the leadership of Tim Vom Steeg, UCSB has compiled one of the most talented coaching staffs in the nation.ï»¿

Assistant Coach Greg Wilson: In 9 years as UCSB’s assistant coach, assistant coach Greg Wilson has helped aid the Gauchos to recent prominence. Coach Wilson has helped the Gauchos win five Big West Championships, four NCAA Sweet 16 appearances, and a 2006 NCAA National Championship.

Top Draw Soccer, Top 20 recruiting Class (2007-2010)

Former Division I Head Coach, Philadelphia U. (2003-05)

Former Division I Assistant Coach, University of Pennsylvania (2001-02)

USSF “A” License and NSCAA “Premier” Diploma

Assistant Coach Stuart Dobson: Prior to becoming UCSB’s goalkeeping coach, Coach Dobson had a 15 year professional career as goalkeeper in both the US and England. As goalkeeper coach at UCSB, he coached the 2009-10 Big West goalkeeper of the year, recording a school/league record of 16 shutouts in 2009.

Coached former US National Team Goalkeeper, Tony Meola

Goalkeeping Coach, NJ Ironmen – MISL (2006-2007)

Assistant Coach, Camden County College (2002-2006)

Big West Conference

Founded in 1969, the Big West conference consists of UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Northridge, Long Beach State, University of the Pacific, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Riverside, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

The conference has claimed 19 team national championships in its history, including six in women’s volleyball, two in baseball, one in softball and one in men’s basketball. Men’s soccer was the newest sport added to the list when UC Santa Barbara claimed the national title in 2006.

Santa Barbara

Nestled between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santa Barbara exists as an ideal location for anyone reside. Whether you enjoy going to Santa Barbara’s extensive beaches, hiking among its beautiful mountains, or enjoy shopping at the State Street, Santa Barbara is the place for you.

With its extensive beachfront real estate, UCSB possess one of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. Isla Vista, the square mile area adjoining UCSB’s campus, exists as a student-friendly residential area in which a majority of the population are students. As both a place to live and learn, Santa Barbara is the ideal place to be.

NCAA Tournament History

2013

Nov. 24 vs. Penn State L, 1-0

2011

Nov. 27 vs. Creighton L, 2-1

Nov. 20 vs. Providence W, 3-2

2010

Nov. 21 vs. Cal Berkeley L, 2-1(OT)

Nov. 20 vs. Denver W, 1-0(2OT)

2009

Nov. 29 vs. UCLA L, 2-1

Nov. 22 vs. San Diego W, 1-0

Nov. 19 vs. Wofford W, 1-0

2008

Nov. 25 vs. Cal Berkeley L, 3-2

1st Round Bye

2007

Dec. 2 vs. Ohio State L, 4-3

Nov. 28 vs. Washington W, 1-0

1st Round Bye

2006

Dec. 3 vs. UCLA, W, 2-1

Dec. 2 vs. Wake Forest W, 0-0 (4-3 PKs)

Nov. 25th vs. Northwestern W, 3-2

Nov. 18 vs. Old Dominion W, 2-1

Nov. 15 vs. Souther Methodist University W, 3-1

Nov. 11 vs. San Diego State W, 2-1

2005

Nov. 22 vs. Cal State Northridge L, 3-2

Nov. 19 vs. San Diego State W, 2-0

1st Round Bye

2004

Dec. 12 vs. Indiana L, 1-1 (3-2 PKs)

Dec. 10 vs. Duke W, 5-0

Dec. 4 vs. Virginia Commonwealth W, 4-1

Nov. 28 vs. UNC Greensboro W, 1-0

Nov. 23 vs. Wisconsin Milwaukee W, 2-1 (2OT)

1st Round Bye

2003

Nov. 29 vs. St. John's L, 3-2

Nov. 26 vs. Cal Berkeley W, 2-0

1st Round Bye

2002

Nov. 27 vs. Cal Berkeley L, 2-1

Nov. 23 vs. San Diego W, 2-0

1st Round Bye

2004 National Championship Finalists

Legitimizing their status as an elite soccer program in the nation, the Gauchos appeared in the 2004 NCAA Championship game. Although they lost to the Indiana Hoosiers on penalties, the 2004 Gauchos proved through their impressive season and tournament performance that UCSB was poised to be a top program for years to come.

2006 NCAA Division I National Champions

The Gauchos finally reached the pinnacle of college soccer by defeating UCLA 2-1 in St. Louis, MO. for the 2006 NCAA National Championship to claim the program's and Universities first National Championship since men’s water polo in 1979.

Halfway through the 2006 season the Gauchos were just 7-6, but they turned up the heat down the stretch. They finished the season 17-7-1 and received the Big West's automatic berth into the tournament. UCSB's postseason run included upsets over the tournament's second and third seeded teams. Head Coach Tim Vom Steeg received his second Coach of the Year award in 2006.

Gaucho Locos

The Gaucho Locos, founded in 1998, are the student supporters of all UCSB athletics. For home soccer games, the "Locos" are seated right along the sideline of Harder Stadium. The Locos also make the annual trip to support the Gauchos when they play at Cal Poly.

The Gaucho Locos are the heart and soul of the record crowds at Harder Stadium.

Gauchos Who Represent their Country

United States National Team

Chris Pontius - called into camp

Dan Kennedy - called into camp

U-20 Youth National Team

Sam Garza

Eric Avila

Dom Sarle

U-17 Youth National Team

Bryan Dominguez

Danny Barrera

Canada National Team

Rob Friend- 28 caps, 2 goals

Tyler Rosenlund- 1 cap

U-17 Youth National Team

Andrew Proctor

Miles Davis

Steven Sosa

Chris Schwandt

New Zealand National Team

Tony Lochhead - 33 caps, on the 2010 World Cup squad

Michael Boxall - played in all 3 games at the 2008 Olympics

Neil Jones - 2 caps, 2 goals

Record-Breaking Attendances

The UCSB men's soccer team has one of the best followings in the nation. Harder Stadium saw more than 70,000 fans walk through the gates for the 2010 season. The Gauchos boasted the nation's best per game average of 5,873 fans; 2,660 fans greater than the next highest college program.

The Gauchos set the all-time NCAA regular season on-campus attendance record when 15,896 fans witnessed the home team beat UCLA 2-0 in September 24, 2010.

Harder Stadium has seen five of the all-time top 10 NCAA regular season attendances:

15,896 – UCLA at UC Santa Barbara – Sept. 24, 2010

13,822 – Cal Poly at UC Santa Barbara – Nov. 4, 2011

13,772 – San Diego at UC Santa Barbara – Sep. 23, 2011

13,467 – Cal Poly at UC Santa Barbara – Oct. 19, 2012

12,805 – Cal Poly at UC Santa Barbara – Nov. 9, 2013

Honor Roll

All-Americans

(1970) Dave Hollingsworth

(2002) Rob Friend

(2002) Memo Azarte

(2002) Alan Keely

(2003) Memo Azarte

(2004) Drew McAthy

(2004) Tony Lochhead

(2004) Dan Kennedy

(2004) Tyler Rosenlund

(2004) Andy Iro

(2005) Andy Iro

(2006) Eric Avila

(2006) Andy Iro

(2007) Andy Iro

(2007) Ciaran O’Brien

(2008) Chris Pontius

(2010) Michael Boxall

Big West Offensive Player of the Year

(1988) Chris John

(2001) Rob Friend

(2002) Rob Friend

(2003) Memo Azarte

(2004) Drew McAthy (Co-Offensive)

(2007) Chris Pontius

(2010) Sam Garza (Co-Offensive)

Big West Defensive Player of the Year

(2001) Reuben Bates

(2004) Tony Lochhead

(2005) Andy Iro

(2006) Andy Iro

(2007) Andy Iro

(2009) Martin Hedevag

(2010) Michael Boxall

Big West Midfielder of the Year

(2007) Ciaran O’Brien

(2009) Danny Barrera

(2010) Danny Barrera

Big West Goalkeeper of the Year

(2003) Dan Kennedy

(2004) Dan Kennedy

(2006) Kyle Reynish (Co-Goalkeeper)

(2009) Sam Hayden

(2010) Sam Hayden

Academic Excellence

The University of California, Santa Barbara offers one of the most unique academic experiences in the world. (visit the University's website). Its top-ranked academic programs and 1,055-acre ocean-side campus wedged between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean attract more and more students each year.

UCSB offers over 200 unique majors, degrees and credentials that span the school's five colleges. Five Nobel Prize winners make up the university's world-class staff. UCSB was mostly recently ranked as the 9th best public university by U.S. News & World Report. Newsweek called listed UCSB in its "America's 25 Hottest Colleges."

Students at UCSB get all the benefits of a large university without having to give up the intimate classroom setting. The faculty to student ratio is 17:1 and over 49.3% of all undergraduate courses enroll less than 20 students.